Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program competition for Federal fiscal year (FY) 2026

About This Program

NRCS is offering up to $52 million in competitive grant funding through the Voluntary Public Access-Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP) to support state and Tribal governments in creating or enhancing programs that encourage private landowners to voluntarily open their farm, ranch, and forest land for public hunting, fishing, and wildlife-dependent recreation.

Key Requirements & Eligibility

• 1Must be an eligible applicant as defined in the opportunity listing
• 2Must be a state or Tribal government entity
• 3Application must be submitted through Grants.gov by posted deadline
• 4SAM.gov registration required prior to application
• 5Program must encourage voluntary public access for hunting, fishing, and wildlife-dependent recreation